First Line Friday

Todays first line comes from this 3rd book in this Julia Quinn series that I picked up from the Library this week…. Lisa

An Offer From a Gentleman: Bridgerton (Bridgertons Book 3

The First Line of the book:

Everyone knew that Sophie Beckett was a bastard.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the story of Benedict Bridgerton, in the third of her beloved Regency-set novels featuring her charming, powerful Bridgerton family, now a series created by Shondaland for Netflix.

BENEDICT’S STORY

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy-tale love?

Cozy Wends day Reading Challenge :

Fit to Be French Fried: A Felicia’s Food Truck One Hour Mystery (Felicia’s Food Truck One Hour Cozies Book 1)

A charming culinary cozy to be read in one or two sittings.

When an unlikeable retiree passes out while walking home from Felica’s food truck, everyone dismisses the incident as a simple medical emergency, but Felicia’s not convinced. Someone had a hand in Mrs. Dunn’s collapse, and Felicia is determined to find out who and why.

My New Book Mug : The Republic of Tea : Oolong tea in the mug while I am reading this rainy day. Lisa

Wed F : Cozy read :

This is the first book in a new series, “A Felicia’s Food Truck One Hour Mystery,” by author Celia Kinsey. The brief cozy mystery, a short story more accurately, packs a lot of action as well as a lot of fun. There are a variety of interesting characters, some kooky, and the plot not only provides a mystery but some intrigue and romance as well. I recommend this story for cozy mystery lovers, food truck enthusiasts,

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Feb Reading Challenge Update :

The Trouble with Tabbies (The Love & Pets Romantic Comedy Series Book 2

Her cats are here to stay. But is he?

Beatrix Fuller’s income as a romance writer keeps her dozens of rescue cats in food and kitty litter, but she dreams of using a promised family inheritance to help build a state of the art cat adoption facility. To get the money, she has to present her fiancé to her father for approval at the family estate in Aspen, Colorado.

The kink in this cat tale? The fiancé Bea’s told her family about for years is as fictional as the oh-so-perfect leading men in her books. She needs a fake fiancé fast, and she has two requirements: 1) must love cats and 2) no getting involved. Bea’s written romance long enough to know that false engagements lead to real relationships and she’s not interested.

Although photographer Sebastian Ross spends every morning shooting in the gorgeous Colorado mountains, buyers aren’t exactly lined up to purchase his work. After Seb responds to Bea’s posting for a fake fiancé, they make a deal: pretend to be madly in love for the sake of her cats and his ridiculously high rent. But if they so much as kiss, Bea will give up her favorite fur baby and Seb will sell his beloved Canon.

A foolproof plan . . . until something grows between these fools that looks a lot like love.

Reading Challenge Book Review: (kindle unlimited)

An easy fun read with great characters both human and in cat form. Pet lovers will enjoy this fake fiancé story.

Laughter and Love ,Animals, Slow Burn

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Execution in E : Wed Cozy Mystery

Romance is in the air. Or on the ’Gram, anyway.

When an influencer-turned-bridezilla shows up at the lighthouse to capture Insta-perfect wedding photos designed to entice sponsors to fund her lavish wedding, Gethsemane has her hands full trying to keep Eamon from blasting the entire wedding party over the edge of the cliff.

Wedding bells become funeral bells when members of the bride’s entourage start turning up dead. Frankie’s girlfriend, Verna, is pegged as maid-of-honor on the suspect list when the Garda discover the not-so-dearly departed groom was her ex and Gethsemane catches her standing over a body.

Gethsemane uncovers devilish dealings as she fights to clear Verna, for Frankie’s sake. Will she find the killer in time to save Frankie from another heartbreak? Or will the photos in her social media feed be post-mortem?

Book Review:

This book 5 in the Gentleman Brown series. The build up to the solution of this mystery is a good one and the manner of death is interesting too. A cute series that i highly recommend. Lisa

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First Line Friday : Neighbors

First line Friday is here. And on my table is this latest book I borrowed from the Library.

First Line Friday

The massive stone mansion was hot even in the basement , as Debbie Speck bustled around the large efficient kitchen putting away the groceries her husband Jack brought in. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085ZM8HGW/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

From the Book:

Meredith White was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. But a personal tragedy cut her acting career short and alienated her from her family. For the last fifteen years, Meredith has been living alone in San Francisco with two trusted caretakers. Then, on a muggy late summer day, a massive earthquake strikes Northern California, plunging the Bay Area into chaos. Without a moment’s hesitation, Meredith invites her stunned and shaken neighbors into her mostly undamaged home as the recovery begins.

These people did not even realize that movie star Meredith White was living on their street. Now, they are sharing her mansion, as well as their most closely kept secrets. Without the walls and privacy of their own homes, one by one, new relationships are forged. For every neighbor there is a story, from the doctor whose wife and children fear him, to the beautiful young woman dating a dishonorable man, to the aspiring writer caring for a famous blind musician.

In the heart of the crisis, Meredith finds herself venturing back into the world. And thanks to the suspicions and the dogged detective work of a disaster relief volunteer, a former military officer named Charles, a shocking truth about her own world is exposed. Suddenly Meredith sees her isolation, her estranged family, and even her acting career in a whole new light.

Filled with powerful human dramas, Neighbors is a penetrating look at how our world can be upended in a moment. In a novel of unforgettable characters and stunning twists, acts of love and courage become the most powerful forces of all.

Deserts, Driving, and Derelicts: A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Serie

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky, where nothin’ is normal!

Mae West is getting settled into the RV lifestyle as the owner of a campground in Normal, Kentucky. Happy Trails Campground, located in Daniel Boone National Park, has started to attract late summer vacationing families who love to hike, swim, fish, and enjoy being outdoors.

Betts Hager, owner of several small businesses, is swamped with work and desperate for help with her cleaning business. Mae offers her services, happy about the prospect of a little extra cash. Heiress Tammy Jo Bentley’s mansion is the first one on her schedule.

Mae makes sure Tammy Jo’s house is spotless because the Kentucky Kennel Association’s annual meeting is going to be held at the mansion. Fifi, Tammy Jo’s high pedigree, insured poodle, is going to be on display and Tammy Jo will be evaluating potential suitors to sire Fifi’s offspring.

Before the annual meeting, Camille Braun, Fifi’s nanny, is stabbed to death. Everyone knows that Camille would put her life on the line *or* lay down her life for Fifi and, apparently, she did.

Mae tries her best to stay out of it. Tammy Jo begs Mae to help her; after all, she did find the last killer in Normal. Plus, it’s not good for business – or Normal’s revived economy – when a murderer is on the loose.

Mae has grown to love her RV community and now that she’s found a place to call him, she’s not going to let anybody ruin it. Mae throws all of her heart and amateur sleuthing skills into bringing the real killer to justice.

Letter D Cozy Mystery :

This is an easy read, full personality, non-stop action, and plot twists. Deserts, Driving and Derelicts is the 2nd installment in the Camper & Criminals cozy mystery series and I LOVED it. Lisa

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Cozy Wednesday : Letter C

Today’s theme is one of my favorites : Animal themes Cozy Mystery : C for Cats takes care of my alphabet challenge and my theme challenge. Lisa

When librarian Charlie Harris’ daughter is falsely accused of murder, he and his faithful feline Diesel must leap forward to crack the case in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling series.  

Charlie Harris has sworn off investigating murder and mayhem after a recent close call. Instead, he’s delighted to cheer on his daughter, Laura, who’s starring in a production of Careless Whispers. The theater department at Athena College is debuting the play written by a fledgling playwright with local connections and Charlie’s son-in-law, Frank Salisbury, will be calling the directorial shots.  

Laura is upset to learn that Luke Lombardi, an overbearing actor she knew from her time in Hollywood will also be taking part in the production as a guest artist. Lombardi arrives with an entourage in tow and promptly proceeds to annoy everyone involved with the production. When he collapses and dies on stage, after drinking from a glass Laura handed him, she becomes the chief suspect in his murder.  

Charlie knows his daughter is innocent, and  he’s not going to let anyone railroad his little girl. So,  despite his intentions to put his amateur sleuthing days behind him, Charlie has to take center stage, and with Diesel’s help, shine a  spotlight on the real killer.

Book Review : Letter C /Animal theme

Careless Whiskers is the twelfth book in the Cat in the Stacks mystery series by author Miranda James.  I have read and loved all the books in the series but I particularly like the fact that this book takes Charlie out of his library job setting and into a theater setting – I like the library setting but this is a nice change of pace. This is a very good mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing – just when I thought I knew who the killer was James threw in a twist that had me starting over in guessing who the killer was. When the killer was revealed, I was surprised I got my copy from the library -so check it out now. Lisa

Once Upon a time

ONCE UPON A TIME

“Read a book from the Fantasy, Fairytale, Mythology, or Folklore Sub Genres“

HOW IT WORKS

• Your task is to read at least 1 book that fits the monthly theme/motif.
• Post about what you’ve read anywhere online – your blog, Goodreads and / or social media using the hashtag #MonthlyMotifGXO
• Come back to our check-in here in the comments – leave a link and/or tell us which book(s) you read, the award and year it won.

What are you reading this month?

A thirst for revenge . . . Ava is committed to vengeance against the man responsible for the death of her parents. The same man, the Queen’s Herald, kept her prisoner for two years, until she escaped with Luc, a warlord bent on vengeance just as fierce as her own. He’s forged a powerful army of people from all through the region, called the Rising Wave, to march on the Kassian royal family and smash its corrupt power under the weight of their anger. But for Luc, just as for Ava, his true motive is a lot more personal.

A hidden magic . . . Luc suspects Ava has magical abilities, suspects he’s benefited greatly from them, but he’s no stranger to the burdens of power, and he’s prepared to let her tell him in her own time—after all, she’s his heart’s choice and he will give her all the time she needs. Except time is running out for both of them. As they near the Kassian stronghold, forces from within their own camp and without will use every trick they have to stop both Luc and Ava and tear them apart.

A secret laid bare . . . Luc knows Ava has a secret she’s keeping from him—but what he doesn’t realize is she has many. And when those secrets are exposed, everyone will have to grapple with the consequences. Ava is prepared to sacrifice her happiness and even her life to save the Rising Wave and Luc—but she would prefer to use her heart and her head to outwit her enemies instead.

Author’s note: The Rising Wave series begins with a prequel novella, The Rising Wave, which is included in Warlords, Witches & Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology. It isn’t necessary to have read The Rising Wave to enjoy The Turncoat King, but it will give readers a better grounding in the world of the story.

Book thoughts: kindle unlimited

 Michelle Diener has written a story that weaves intrigue and romance beautifully. I could not put it down! Ava and Luc are strong, well written characters…the plot has so many twists and turns, you are kept enamored with the story. Lisa

Thursday : 2021 Reading Challenge

Paras, short for “Perestroika,” is a spirited racehorse at a racetrack west of Paris. One afternoon at dusk, she finds the door of her stall open and–she’s a curious filly–wanders all the way to the City of Light. She’s dazzled and often mystified by the sights, sounds, and smells around her, but she isn’t afraid.

Soon she meets an elegant dog, a German shorthaired pointer named Frida, who knows how to get by without attracting the attention of suspicious Parisians. Paras and Frida coexist for a time in the city’s lush green spaces, nourished by Frida’s strategic trips to the vegetable market. They keep company with two irrepressible ducks and an opinionated raven. But then Paras meets a human boy, Etienne, and discovers a new, otherworldly part of Paris: the ivy-walled house where the boy and his nearly-one-hundred-year-old great-grandmother live in seclusion.

As the cold weather and Christmas near, the unlikeliest of friendships bloom. But how long can a runaway horse stay undiscovered in Paris? How long can a boy keep her hidden and all to himself? Jane Smiley’s beguiling new novel is itself an adventure that celebrates curiosity, ingenuity, and the desire of all creatures for true love and freedom.

Book thoughts :

Like all of Jane Smiley’s books, Paras in Paris is beautifully written, complete with horses and dogs. The animals come alive with their own stories, perspectives, and connections to each other and to humans. While this book is probably targeted to middle schoolers, an advanced third grader might do well with it. But adults will enjoy it also. ( i borrowed my copy from the library)

January book is marked off …. Lisa

Wednesday : Cozy Mystery

Today’s Cozy Mystery is a historical one. This series is set during World War 1. So Agatha Christie fans this one is for you.

Betrayal at Ravenswick: A Fiona Figg Mystery (Fiona Figg Mysteries Book 1

Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie in this entertaining series opener.

What’s the best way to forget an unfaithful husband?

Become a spy for British Intelligence, of course.

“A good dose of humor while keeping the heartbreaking reality of war in the mix. This is one epic read.” – The Los Angeles Post

Desperate to get out of London and determined to help the war effort, Fiona Figg volunteers to go undercover.

It keeps her from thinking about Andrew, her philandering husband.

At Ravenswick Abbey a charming South African war correspondent has tongues wagging.

His friends say he’s a crack huntsman. The War Office is convinced he’s a traitor. Fiona thinks he’s a pompous prig.

What sort of name is Fredrick Fredricks anyway?

Too bad Fiona doesn’t own a Wolseley pith helmet.

At Ravenswick a murderer is on the prowl, and it’s not just the big-game hunter who’s ready to pounce.

You’ll love this witty historical mystery because it is the perfect mix of humor, heart, and page-turning intrigue. Fans of the Queen of Mystery will enjoy this clever homage.
WINNER OF A READER’S CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST HISTORICAL MYSTERY

Letter B & Historical cozy mystery :